Question: Why are fog lights yellow?
Does it help that they are?
Answer: It is important for fog lights to be one color
(rather than white, which is all colors) because the different
wavelengths(colors) of visible light scatter off the fog droplets
differently. This phenomenon is known as "dispersion," because the
different colors of light in an image will separate from each other,
causing the image to "disperse." If you illuminate the road with only one
wavelength (color) of light, the images of the objects you see will still
become somewhat blurry because of the scattering of light by the fog, but
at least you won't have extra problems from dispersion. So, if we want to
use just one wavelength of light, which wavelength should we use? It turns
out that light with short wavelengths scatters more than light with long
wavelengths (short to long: violet, indigo, blue, green, yellow, orange,
red). So, a long wavelength light will be best. There's another thing to
consider, too: our eyes are not equally sensitive to all colors. It turns
out that we are most sensitive to yellow and green light. So, our best
compromise between sensitivity for our eyes and a long wavelength for least
scattering is yellow light.
News on other fronts
New rider from Saint George (QLD) joined the group for his first ride last week in the fog when we turned into another road he missed us and went straight ahead doing the full loop. Oh well at least he was prepared for the Saturday ride , Glad to see you joining us Ken!
Staying in touch
Local riders Jay and his dad mike with jay's girlfriend Cindy, these guy's have been developing a track above the Illarwill Quarry, Jay and Cindy are of to Canada soon to work, and Jay has said that he will keep in touch via Email and has promised to write a couple of articles about their biking experiences there.
Any Bike photo's you have out there of your-self or family are most welcome ( even better how about a small blurb to go with it.)
